JP5087778B2 - Method and apparatus for securing a conduit to a structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for securing a conduit to relatively inaccessible structures, for example, oil tanks on submerged ships. The method involves providing a conduit with a neck, temporarily securing the conduit to the surface, for example by means of magnets, etc, drilling a hole through the structure and passing the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure, and passing an expander device through the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure to widen a portion of the internal passage of the conduit in the region of the neck.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for securing a conduit to a structure. The structure usually contains the fluid to be removed through the conduit. Some embodiments may be useful for structures that are to be infused with fluid through a conduit. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful for attaching conduits such as pipes to structures that are relatively inaccessible, such as tanks and other structures that are submerged and accessible only to one side of the tank. Some embodiments are useful for installing pipes that remove oil and other environmental disrupting fluids from underwater ships.

  Many underwater structures, such as sunken ships, contain a large amount of oil or other fluid that is discharged into the surrounding environment in an uncontrolled manner and destroys the environment. To prevent uncontrollable release of fluid from the structure, oil or other fluids are typically removed from the structure in a controlled manner, and pipes such as pipes traditionally contain oil-filled tanks. Fixed to the tank of a sunken ship for emptying.

  Currently, if possible, the flange tube can be fixed to the tank by welding, otherwise it can be fixed by fasteners such as bolts or rivets. In some cases where both sides of the tank are accessible, the pipe can be crimped using a pipe crimping tool in a pre-drilled hole.

  Conventional methods for removing (or supplying) liquids or gases in a submerged sunken ship or structure utilize a diver or remote work machine (ROV) to connect the flange tube by using bolts through the flange. To fit, the structure was excavated and drilled. The flanges are often held against the structure by a magnetic drill stand when they are drilled and secured to the structure. Flange pipes are generally pre-valve mounted and the last hole in the structure is via an open valve in the hole of the installed pipe so that if the drill is removed, oil is contained in the pipe. Can be dug down.

  Current processes can be dangerous if the liquid or gas in the tank is pressurized or flammable or toxic, which is always time consuming and difficult, and therefore divers' time And expensive in terms of the level of technology required. Time and costs are exacerbated by the fact that oil spills frequently from most sunken tanks or engine rooms, some of which remain trapped within other parts of the ship structure. Thus, oil must be removed from various different parts of the sunken ship, which usually requires multiple pipes to be attached at different locations for all controlled oil removal.

In accordance with the present invention, a method for attaching a conduit to a structure comprising:
Providing a neck in a conduit having an internal flow path;
Forming a hole through the surface of the structure and allowing a portion of the conduit to pass through the hole;
Passing the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure by passing a portion of the conduit through the hole in the structure;
Providing an expansion device configured to provide a limited fit at the neck;
Expanding the portion of the internal flow path of the conduit in the region of the neck by driving the expansion device through the portion of the conduit.

  Typically, the structure is planar and has a first surface and an opposite second surface. For example, the structure can comprise a tank having an outer (first) surface and an inner (second) surface. In certain embodiments, a portion of the conduit extends through the structure until the neck passes completely through the hole and extends beyond the second (inner) surface of the structure at the opposite end of the hole. Pass through a hole in the outer (first) plane of the. The conduit typically has a shoulder or flange or other stop mechanism on the outer surface of the conduit to limit extreme conduit movement within the bore, and therefore the shoulder engages with the outer surface of the structure. In combination, the neck only extends a short distance from the inner surface on the opposite side of the structure when preventing further axial movement of the conduit in the bore. The neck may have a restriction in inner diameter in some embodiments, but in other embodiments, the inner diameter of the neck may be flush with the inner diameter of the conduit.

The present invention is also an apparatus for transferring fluid to or from a structure comprising:
A conduit having an internal flow path having a neck;
A drilling mechanism for forming a hole in the structure to accommodate a portion of the conduit;
An expansion device configured to be received within the internal flow path of the conduit and having at least a portion having a size larger than the neck of the internal flow path;
And a drive mechanism configured to drive the expansion device through the internal flow path of the conduit to expand the neck of the conduit.

  Typically, the neck is expanded from the first configuration that allows the neck to pass through the hole before the dilator passes through the internal channel, and the neck expands by movement of the dilator through the internal channel. It is malleable so that it can be deformed by passage of the dilator into a second configuration that later prevents or restricts the neck from passing through the hole. The neck is usually formed at the end of a conduit that is inserted into a hole in the structure.

  In some embodiments, the internal dimensions of the internal flow path can vary along the length of the internal flow path. For example, the neck usually has an inner shoulder, protrusion, ring, or the like that extends radially into the internal flow path within a range of the hole of the internal flow path and is separated by a slight distance from the end of the flow path. Can be in the form of steps or edges on the inner surface of the conduit. The step or lip can be continuous around the entire outer periphery of the inner surface of the neck, or can be formed in discrete portions that are discontinuous. In some embodiments, the initial internal dimensions of the internal flow path can be substantially constant along its length, the neck can be positioned at one end of the flow path, and the outer surface is Can be transformed into a funnel by movement of the expansion device through the flow path. As the dilator typically expands the internal flow path to a uniform internal dimension, it is sufficient that the outer diameter be deformed asymmetrically to retain the neck in the hole. The lip can be formed from a step that is machined, cut, or molded into the inner surface of the borehole of the conduit. In some embodiments, the lip can be formed separately and subsequently attached by welding or gluing a protrusion, such as an annular or semi-annular ring, to the inner surface. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lip may include the formation of solder or weld debris formed on the inner surface of the conduit hole.

  Typically, the drive mechanism is configured to drive the conduit through a hole in the structure. The apparatus may also include an attachment mechanism that optionally includes a clamping mechanism to temporarily connect the conduit to the structure before the expansion device is driven through the conduit.

  The conduit may be cylindrical with an inner surface that is arcuate in cross section. In some embodiments, the conduit can be square and the inner surface of the conduit can have other cross-sectional shapes, such as a rectangular cross-section.

  The stop mechanism typically comprises a shoulder or flange extending radially from the conduit and perpendicular to the axis of the conduit. Some embodiments may comprise a magnetic device that is attached and typically configured to connect the flange to the structure, usually to the outer surface of the structure, prior to formation of the hole, and in the structure It has a clamping mechanism that temporarily restrains the conduit in place. In some embodiments, the stop means can include an elastic ring, such as a collet or spring ring.

  The drilling mechanism can optionally be a drill having a cutting bit mounted on a drill stem. The cutting bit can be advanced by a bit drive mechanism such as a hydraulic cylinder and piston configuration. The same hydraulic cylinder and piston configuration can optionally be used to drive the conduit in contact with the structure. The same drive mechanism can optionally be used to drive the movement of the expansion device, but can be driven by other mechanisms.

  The dilator can taper with one part wider than the neck and one part narrower than the neck. The expansion device can incorporate moving parts, for example, it can itself be configured to expand before or after the device passes through the flow path. In some embodiments, the expansion device can be a solid without moving parts. The expansion device is typically conical or frustoconical. The expansion device can be opened with an aperture to allow the drill stem to pass through, and can optionally incorporate a bearing to control the torque applied to the expansion device. The dilator can be mounted in the upper portion of the conduit above or below the neck. The dilator can be configured to pass all the way through the neck (or pipe) or only the neck or pipe portion.

  The device is mounted within a guide assembly that houses a conduit having a neck and optionally has a flange that facilitates temporary connection to the structure before the dilator is driven through the conduit. be able to.

  The fluid can include any fluid material, and embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for use with oils, water and liquids such as chemicals, solids such as powders, or gases. ing. In some embodiments, the fluid can include microorganisms.

  Embodiments of the present invention typically allow the conduit to be secured in place from only one side of the tank. The complete operation of installing the pipe can be done quickly and in one step without pulling a tap or drill to tighten the bolt in the hole so that fluid or gas can escape. it can. This method is less dangerous for the operator and can be used more easily in hazardous areas and extreme deep waters.

  Embodiments of the present invention typically require less manipulation techniques because the drive mechanism is assembled on the surface before the system is attached to the structure. Embodiments can be quickly clamped (temporarily or permanently) to the structure (eg, using a magnet) and the pipe can be attached from one side of the structure within the indentation. . Embodiments of the device can be easily carried and can be operated in different vessel ranges from small fishing boats to large vessels.

  The guide assembly, including the conduit, is typically lowered onto the top, sides, or any part of the tank or structure that requires the pipe to be attached. It is temporarily clamped in place and possibly in place by instruments such as magnets, weights, brackets or self-tapping screws or bolts that usually operate between the flange of the guide assembly and the tank. Once the guide assembly is attached to the tank, the drill is activated and the tank is cut by the drill bit. For this purpose, a drill bit can be provided at one end of the guide assembly below the rest of the elements and usually in an element (possibly with bearings) arranged above it in the guide assembly. ) Can be mounted on the end of a drill stem that can extend through the aperture. The conduit with the neck is then pushed through the drilled hole until it is normally held in the hole by further axial movement by a flange or other stop member located on the outer surface of the conduit. The dilator is then pushed through the conduit and abuts the neck, which usually comprises a stepped portion protruding radially inward from the inner surface of the pipe. As the dilator is further pushed through the pipe, the tapered end of the dilator that pushes past the stepped portion of the neck in the pipe causes the pipe to dilate in the hole and place itself in the hole. Lock it. Normally, the stepped portion is passed through the hole so that it emerges from the opposite side of the tank, but embodiments of the present invention can be used when a portion of the expanded neck is still in the hole. It can function even when the flanges are in close contact with the outer surface of the tank.

  The dilator is typically pushed through the conduit past the neck until it falls into the structure with the drill bit and drill stem from the end of the pipe. Thereafter, the drill motor, hydraulic drive mechanism, and possibly the guide assembly can usually be recovered leaving the pipe attached to the structure.

  A clamping mechanism, usually made up of magnets, is advantageously sufficient to resist the rotational force of the drill and to have sufficient force to react against the force of the pipe pushed into the hole. Have strong power. As long as the force mechanism is attached to both the pipe and the guide, when the mandrel is pushed to crimp the pipe, there is virtually no force pushing the pipe out of the hole.

  In a further embodiment, the guide assembly is loaded with the necessary elements, but the conduit can have parallel and continuous inner walls without stepped portions and the neck can be inserted into the hole. Formed at the end of the pipe. The dilator is assembled below the neck at the end of the internal flow path of the conduit. Once the different elements are in place, the guide assembly is lowered onto the top surface, sides of the tank, or any part of the tank or structure that requires the pipe to be attached. It is clamped in place and a hole is drilled for the conduit as described above. The pipe is then used until further movement of the pipe is prevented by its outer flange (different stop members can be used without extending all the way around the pipe as well or alternatively) It is pushed through the hole with the cutter and expansion device moving forward. Thereafter, the tapered dilator attached to the shaft and positioned beyond the hole cutter is pushed back toward the flange until the tapered outer surface of the dilator engages the inner surface of the neck. (E.g. pulled). As it is pushed further into the neck of the pipe, the tapered end of the dilator deforms the neck to push it radially outward, causing the pipe to expand and Lock in the hole. The mandrels are pushed back toward the cutter until they both fall through the structure with the holes emptied. The drill, force mechanism, and guide can be retrieved leaving the pipe securely attached to the structure. The inner surface of the neck can be a plane with parallel walls, or it can be stepped with ribs, edges, or other internal protrusions that engage the outer surface of the dilator. The internal protrusions can be continuous around the entire inner periphery of the pipe or can be formed in discrete portions.

  According to this variant, the clamping system, usually made up of magnets, resists the rotational force of the drill and pushes the pipe through the hole as a force on the mandrel when crimping the pipe, against the flange It only needs enough force not to exert the force of pushing the guide out of the structure.

  In certain embodiments, the structure has a double skin, each having an outer surface and an inner surface, and the oil to be collected is spaced apart on the inner and outer sides. It arrange | positions in an inner outer board | plate, having a space | gap between outer boards. In such a case, it is advantageous if the conduit is passed through the outer and inner skins of the structure before the neck is expanded, so that a portion of the neck is inside the structure. The neck is expanded when placed in or beyond the inner skin. In such an embodiment, the guide plate is typically stably connected to the outer skin (usually on the outer surface of the outer skin) and the neck is connected to the dilator via the neck. Before being driven into the holes in the outer and inner skins.

  In some embodiments, the drive mechanism can be secured to the structure, typically this is done by securing the guide plate to the structure and securing the drive mechanism to the guide plate; Thereby, the reaction force applied to the drive mechanism during driving of the expansion device is moved again to the structure via the fixed connection. Typically, the drive mechanism can thus be fixed by a locking mechanism that can be welded or crimped to the guide plate and / or structure. Typically, the locking mechanism has a locking device to engage and disengage the conduit. Typically, the locking mechanism can comprise an elongate rod that extends parallel to the conduit and is connected to the conduit via a lever arm that engages and disengages the conduit and normally interacts with a flange on the conduit. .

  In some cases, the conduit may be a pipe configured to carry fluid from the structure to a recovery vessel outside the structure. In some embodiments, the conduit may comprise a shorter sleeve configured to physically connect the structure to other conduits for transporting fluid to the recovery vessel. The sleeve can optionally have fasteners and / or seals for mechanically connecting to and sealing other conduits.

  Embodiments of the present invention can also be used to secure a plate to a structure. In certain embodiments, the structure can optionally be lifted by a pipe.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for securing a conduit to a structure. FIG. 2 shows a sequential view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 for attaching a conduit to a structure. FIG. 2 shows a sequential view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 for attaching a conduit to a structure. FIG. 2 shows a sequential view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 for attaching a conduit to a structure. 2 shows a guide frame for the device of FIG. FIG. 6 shows the guide frame of FIG. 5 with a notch to empty the valve. Fig. 2 shows a first expansion device for use with the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 shows a first expansion device for use with the device of Fig. 1; A second expansion device is shown. A second expansion device is shown. A third expansion device is shown. 4 shows a fourth expansion device. Fig. 7 shows a fifth expansion device. Fig. 5 shows a mounting sleeve for use in a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a further view of the fifth expansion device. Figure 6 shows a sixth expansion device. The pipe attached to a structure after the removal of a guide frame is shown. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a second method of attaching a pipe to a structure. Figure 3 shows a third method and apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. Figure 18 shows a further view of the method and apparatus of Figure 17; Figure 3 shows a pipe attached to a structure by a third method. Figure 6 shows a sequential view of a fourth method and apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. Figure 6 shows a sequential view of a fourth method and apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the device recovered from the pipe. FIG. 7 shows another view of a drill stem for use with any of the devices described herein. FIG. 7 shows another view of a drill stem for use with any of the devices described herein. FIG. 7 shows another view of a drill stem for use with any of the devices described herein. FIG. 7 shows another view of a drill stem for use with any of the devices described herein. FIG. 7 shows another view of a drill stem for use with any of the devices described herein. Fig. 5 illustrates another connection between a drill stem and a motor of any of the devices described herein. Fig. 5 illustrates another connection between a drill stem and a motor of any of the devices described herein. Figure 7 shows a side view of a fifth method and apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. FIG. 10 shows a side view of a sixth method and apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. Figure 7 shows a further view of the sixth method and apparatus. FIG. 2 shows a side view of a hydraulic cylinder used in various methods shown in the drawings. FIG. 10 shows a front view of a seventh embodiment of an apparatus for attaching a pipe to a structure. It is a sectional side view of the conduit | pipe about 7th Embodiment. It is a sectional side view of the guide plate about a 7th embodiment. It is a front view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly about a 7th embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a drift and drill bit assembly for a seventh embodiment. It is a top view of a 7th embodiment. FIG. 17 shows a top view of a seventh embodiment lever arm assembly in a locked configuration; FIG. 17 shows a top view of a seventh embodiment of a lever arm assembly in a free form. Figure 8 shows a sequential front view of the seventh embodiment used. Figure 8 shows a sequential front view of the seventh embodiment used. Figure 8 shows a sequential front view of the seventh embodiment used. Figure 8 shows a sequential front view of the seventh embodiment used. Figure 8 shows a sequential front view of the seventh embodiment used. The front view of 7th Embodiment corresponding to the side view form of FIG. 46 is shown. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the end of the conduit of the seventh embodiment after connection. FIG. 10 shows a front sectional view of an eighth embodiment.

  Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment for attaching a conduit to a structure S. FIG. In the exploded view of FIG. 1, the conduit comprises a cylindrical pipe 1 having an outer flange 1f spaced from one end. As clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the present apparatus for attaching the pipe 1 has a flat and rectangular guide plate 2p and a hollow hole extending vertically from the upper side surface of the guide plate 2p. A guide tube 2t. The guide tube 2t is welded to the guide plate 2p, is coaxial with the central aperture 2a in the guide plate 2p slightly narrower than the hole of the guide tube 2t, and surrounds the central aperture 2a, and thus extends in the radial direction. A protruding edge is formed between the aperture 2a and the lower surface of the tube 2t. The hole of the guide tube 2t and the aperture 2a are coaxial.

  The upper end portion of the guide tube 2t is flanged so as to correspond to the valve housing V carrying the valve configured to close the hole of the valve housing V. The valve housing V is similarly flanged to support the spacer P on its upper side. The hole in the spacer P, the valve housing V, and the tube 2t are coaxial with each other and with the aperture 2a, and all of these parts have a circular cross section.

  The plate 2p has a rectangular aperture on both sides of the aperture 2a, through which the magnet M partially extends, from which the magnet M appears on the lower surface of the plate 2p and is usually a metallic surface S and It can be engaged and further temporarily connected to the surface S. The magnet M is usually switchable and can be, for example, an electromagnet, and a magnetic drill stand can be used for this purpose.

  The guide plate 2p, the guide tube 2t, the valve housing V, and the spacer P are integrally provided with a guide assembly for sending and connecting the pipe 1 to the structure S.

  The pipe 1 is disposed in the hole of the guide tube 2t and extends beyond the guide tube 2t into the valve housing V when the pipe 1 is in its first retracted position before being connected to the structure S. Yes. The pipe 1 has a smaller diameter than the hole of the guide tube 2t, and is usually arranged with a flange 1f and, optionally, with a spacer 1s at its upper end, spaced therefrom. If desired, the flange 1f and the spacer 1s can be sealed to the inner surface of the hole in the guide tube 2t, although this is not essential, but in some cases a valve housing using an O-ring or other seal V can be sealed. The pipe 1 is slidable in the axial direction within the holes of the guide tube 2t and the valve housing V. The spacer P is open at each end and receives the cap at its upper end in the form of a removable cap C carrying the hydraulic cylinder 3 with a piston 3p connected to a rotary motor 4 that rotates the drill stem 5. . The cylinder 3 and the drill stem 5 extend through the holes of the spacer P, the valve housing V, and the guide tube 2t, and the drill stem 5 is suitable for cutting a circular hole through the structure S. The rotating drill bit 6 is connected at its lower end. As shown in FIG. 1, the bit 6 is configured to fit inside the aperture 2a of the guide plate 2p so as to pass through. Before being connected to the drill bit 6, the drill stem 5 passes through the inner bore of the expansion device in the form of a drift 7. The drift 7 has the same shape as the outer periphery of the pipe 1 at its widest point (in this case they are circular) and is selected to be an interference fit with the inner diameter of the pipe 1. The widest point of the drift 7 is the tip 7w in the upper portion thereof, and the outer diameter of the drift 7 gradually decreases toward the head 7h at the lower end thereof. At its upper end, the drift 7 has a cylindrical portion 7 c extending from the widest point at the tip 7 w of the drift 7. In this case, the cylindrical portion 7c is an integral part of drift, but can be separated by a cylindrical spacer in some cases. In the inner hole of the drift 7 there are two recesses for receiving bearings for supporting the drill stem 5 in the inner hole of the drift 7, so that the rotation of the drill stem 5 during operation of the motor 4 is It is not transmitted to the drift 7.

  The hydraulic cylinder 3 to which the motor 4 and the drill stem 5 are attached is connected to a removable cap C, and the drill stem 5 is provided in the inner hole of the drift 7, so that the drift 7 is shown in FIG. As clearly shown, the drill stem 5 is slid up until the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 7 c of the drift 7 abuts the lower surface of the motor 4. The drift 7, drill stem 5, motor 4, hydraulic cylinder 3, and removable cap C as a whole then drift down the inner hole of the pipe 1, as clearly shown in FIG. Thus, the spacer P, the valve housing V, and the pipe 1 are provided in the holes. Once the removable cap C is attached to the upper flange of the spacer P, the lower end of the drill stem 5 protrudes from the lower end of the drift 7 and then the drill bit 6 is positioned above (or against) the plate 2p. And can be attached to the lower end of the drill stem 5 just below the drift 7 so that it does not hang and extend beyond the lower surface of the aperture 2a. In this initial assembly stage, before the structure S is cut, the pipe 1 is fixed in the position shown in FIG. 1 and the drift 7 slides freely along the axis of the hole in the pipe 1. Is possible.

  When the pipe 1 is ready to be attached to the structure S, the entire assembly is lowered or otherwise guided on the structure S, and the magnet M temporarily places the guide frame 2 on the structure S. Actuated or attached to be clamped for automatic clamping. Other temporary attachment mechanisms such as suction devices or adhesives can be used in place of the magnets in some cases. With the drill bit 6 spaced above the plane of the plate 2p and not extending out of the aperture 2a, the motor 4 operates to drive the drill stem 5 and the drill bit 6 in rotation. Is done. The bearing between the outer surface of the drill stem 5 and the inner hole of the drift 7 is on the drift 7 where the torque transmission remains rotatably fixed and is relatively tightly fitted in the hole of the pipe 1. This prevents the drill stem 5 from rotating. Once the drill bit 6 rotates at the required cutting speed, the piston 3p in the hydraulic cylinder 3 is extended so as to push the motor 4 below the pipe 1. Since the lower surface of the motor 4 is in contact with the upper side of the cylindrical portion 7 c of the drift 7, the drift 7 is also pushed axially below the hole of the pipe 1 by the extension of the hydraulic cylinder 3. Inevitably, the extension of the hydraulic cylinder 3 also drives the drill stem 5 and the drill bit 6 through the structure S in front of the pipe 1 and the drift 7, thereby cutting the access hole that houses the pipe 1. .

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the cutting diameter of the drill bit 6 is selected to closely match the outer diameter of the pipe 1 so that the lower end of the pipe 1 is drilled through the structure S. It is stuck in the hole formed. The downward movement of the drill bit 6 through the structure S continues until the hole is cut and finally the flange 1f (having a larger diameter than the hole being cut) reaches the upper side of the plate 2p. . At that time (immediately after the stage shown in FIG. 2), further axial movement of the pipe 1 in the guide tube 2t is stopped. In this position with the flange 1f carried on the edge of the aperture 2a, the lower end of the pipe 1 is a hole in the structure S just drilled by the bit 6 so that it projects from the lower side of the structure S. It extends from the beginning to the end.

  The flange 1f of the pipe 1 usually has a circlip disposed in a peripheral groove on the outer surface of the flange. The circlip is excited to expand against the inner surface of the guide tube 2t. As the pipe 1 moves below the hole of the guide tube 2t and the flange 1f approaches the edge of the aperture 2a in the plate 5s, the circlip reaches the edge of the aperture 2a at the same time as the flange 1f reaches the edge of the aperture 2a. Move side by side with the groove on the inner surface in the axial direction. Then, while the flange 1f reaches the edge of the aperture 2a and the lowermost end of the pipe 1 extends through the excavated aperture in the structure S, the circlip is flanged in the axial direction within the hole of the guide tube 2t. In order to lock the pipe 1, it expands freely between the groove on the outer surface of the flange and the groove on the inner surface of the guide tube 2t.

  Once the flange 1f is engaged with the edge at the edge of the aperture 2a and the circlip is expanded, the continued movement of the piston 3p within the cylinder 3 causes it to move below the currently fixed pipe 1. Continue to exert an axial force on the drift 7 that pushes in the axial direction. As the drift 7 moves axially downward in the pipe 1, the shear pin 7 p pushed inward with respect to the spring in the radial recess in the drift 7 causes the shear pin 7 p to lock the drift 7 to the pipe 1. The drift 7 reaches an axial position where it is aligned axially with the peripheral slot on the inner surface of the pipe 1 at a position extending radially outward by the spring in the slot. The configuration of the device is then between the stages of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the drill bit 6 extending from the aperture 2a and the drift 7 just beginning to protrude from the lower end of the pipe 1.

  As the hydraulic cylinder 3 continues to push the piston 3p downward, the shear pin 7p connecting the drift 7 to the pipe 1 is moved freely in the axial direction within the hole of the pipe 1 by the hydraulic cylinder 3. Ultimately shear under the applied force. Further downward movement of the drift 7 pushes in a drift head 7h having a smaller diameter from the end of the pipe 1 and extending here below the lower side of the structure S.

  The lower end of the pipe 1 has a neck 1n. The neck 1n has a radius around the inner periphery of the hole in the pipe 1 so that the edge empties the lower surface of the structure S at the lowest end of the pipe protruding beyond the lower surface of the structure S. It has a lip protruding inward. The lip usually comprises a continuous or discontinuous line of solder or weld placed on the inner surface of the pipe 1 adjacent to its opening. The edge extends inward by a predetermined distance having an inner diameter wider than the outer diameter of the drift head 7h but smaller than the tip 7w. This allows the head 7h to pass through the edge without deforming the edge extending inward, but since the tip 7w of the drift 7 is wider than the inner diameter of the peripheral edge, it is The continuous downward force exerted will eventually engage the lip. At the time of this engagement, the device has the widest part of the drift 7 at the tip 7w that presses on the inner surface of the lip at the neck 1n of the pipe 1, substantially in the form shown in FIG. is there. The neck 1n of the pipe 1 is more malleable than the drift 7, and the continuous force applied from the cylinder 3 pushes down the tip 7w of the drift 7 via the edge, and as shown in FIG. The drift 7 is deformed radially outward until it completely passes through the neck 1n of the pipe 1. After the drift 7 passes through the neck 1n of the pipe 1, the outer diameter of the neck 1n of the pipe 1 is expanded outward in the radial direction and wider than the aperture 2a. The dimensions of the aperture 2a, the pipe 1 and the tip 7w of the drift 7 are selected within close tolerances so that the passage of the drift 7 firmly crimps the outer diameter of the neck 1n of the pipe 1 to the structure S. The

  In some cases, when the drill stem 5 is pressed upward against the lower end of the motor 4, the drill stem 5 is applied to the drill motor 4 using a spline 5 s that transmits torque between the motor 4 and the drill stem 5. When connected but the drill bit 6 is not supported from below, the spline 5s does not hold the drill stem 5 on the drill motor and can fall freely down. Therefore, when the tip 7w passes through the edge at the neck 1n of the pipe 1, there is substantially no force to hold the drill stem 5 on the motor 4, and the drift 7, the stem 5 and the bit 6 Falls into the structure S from the lower end of the. At that time, the piston 3p is pulled into the cylinder 3 to remove the drill motor 4 from the hole in the pipe 1 because the pipe 1 is firmly fixed to the structure S here by crimping in the neck 1n. Can be. Typically, the cylinder 3 has a height above the valve that is subsequently closed after the removable cap C can be returned to the surface along with the hydraulic cylinder 3 and the motor 4 so that the next work is ready. The motor 4 can be retracted. The upper pedestal of the valve housing V then removes from the structure any fluid that may flow through the further conduit for recovery through the open valve and then back into the hole of the pipe 1 through the aperture 2a. Can be connected to a further fluid conduit.

  If desired, the guide tube 2t and guide plate 2p can remain in place using magnets M and circlips that secure the assembly to the structure S. In some embodiments, the shear pin or seal between the drift 7 and the pipe 1 and the circlip between the flange 1f and the guide tube 2t are optional and the tip 7w of the drift 7 is It can be omitted in a state where the friction fit is carried out in the hole and the flange 1f is fitted in the hole of the guide tube 2t. In such an embodiment, once the neck of the pipe 1 is fully crimped to the structure, the crimping in the neck of the pipe 1 is performed only as a structural connection between the pipe 1 and the structure S. While remaining, the drift 7, the drill stem 5 and the drill bit 6 are dropped into the structure S, the motor 4 can be retracted above the closed valve and the magnet M can be removed.

  7a and 7b show another design of drift that is radially expandable between the radially expanded configuration shown in FIG. 7a and the radially contracted configuration shown in FIG. 7b. Show. As shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b, another structure of drift is to support against a separate cylindrical spacer ring to transmit force from the piston 3p via the drill motor 4. It can have a bearing race housed in a slot on the upper side of the drift, thereby separating the drift 7 from the torque applied to the drill stem 5 by the motor 4. As shown in FIG. 9, the head of the drift may optionally have a non-uniform elliptical (or other) shape to increase the cutting pressure at a particular rotational position on the drift, and the pipe 1 The force required from the cylinder 3 to press the drift through the neck of the can be reduced. FIG. 10 shows a further structure of drift similar to the drift described in FIGS. 1-4, but omitting the shear pin at the tip. The bearing can optionally be inserted into the slot at the upper and lower ends of the hole through the center of drift.

  11 and 12 show a wide upper tip 17w, a relatively narrow lower head 17h, a central hole with a bearing facing inward (or upper) to support against the drill stem 5, and a radial direction. A modified design of the drift 17 with a spring-loaded shear pin 17s configuration is shown. The drift 17 is suitable for using a connection sleeve 11 that performs the same function as the pipe 1 in the previous embodiment. The connecting sleeve 11 is shown in FIG. 12 and has a neck 11n with a lip 11l projecting radially inward in the hole of the sleeve 11. The sleeve 11 also has a shoulder 11s extending radially outward from its outer surface. The sleeve 11 also has a peripheral slot 11 c that accommodates a shear pin 17 s on the drift 17.

  FIG. 13 is a separate view of the drift 17 engaging the upper side of the drill bit 6. The drift 17 is fixed and held in the pipe 1 when the bit 6 rotates underneath.

  FIG. 14 shows a step in the head that engages the inner surface of the sleeve and is configured to push it inwardly in the pipe 1 before the modified drift tip begins to expand the neck. Figure 2 shows another design of drift with.

  In certain embodiments, after caulking of the pipe 1 and after removal of the guide tube 2t and guide plate 2p, the attached pipe 1 is moved outward by the movement of the neck 1n of the pipe 1 downward of the drift 7. In the crimped state, it has the form shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment using a modified drift 17 and sleeve 11. The embodiment of FIG. 16 is a flanged pipe with a center hole that includes a hydraulic cylinder 13 having a drill motor 14, a drill stem 15, and a piston 13 p that exerts a force on the drill bit 16 in the same manner as described above. 10 is fixed. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the flange of the pipe 10 is temporarily connected to the structure S using a magnet M, and the bit 16 and associated equipment above it are above the structure S to be cut. It is retracted into the hole of the flanged pipe 10. First, the piston 13p is pulled out to the tip of the cylinder 13, and the drift 17 is disposed above the sleeve 11. Below the sleeve 11, a drill bit 16 is arranged just in the open end of the hole in the pipe 10. The sleeve 11 is first withdrawn into the hole of the pipe 10 and is spaced from the open end of the hole by a distance of at least the drill bit 16. When the pipe 10 is to be secured to the structure S, the motor 14 is actuated to rotate the bit 16 as described above, and the piston 13p drives the bit 16 through the structure S. So that it is stretched. The diameter of the hole cut by the bit 16 is sufficient to allow passage of the head 11n of the sleeve 11 and the lower surface of the motor 14 is the same as the upper surface of the sleeve 11 at the tip 17w of the drift 17 of the motor 14. The drift 17 is driven downward until it engages, and the sleeve 11 is pushed under the hole of the flanged pipe 10 through the hole cut by the bit 16. In certain embodiments, the drift embodiment of FIG. 14 can be used so that the square edge at the lower end of the head makes more complete initial contact with the upper edge of the sleeve 11.

  Accordingly, the drift 17 pushes the sleeve 11 downward through the hole cut through the structure S until the shoulder 11s on the outer surface of the sleeve 11 engages the upper surface of the structure S. Since the shoulder 11s has a larger diameter than the hole and cannot pass through the hole, further stretching of the piston 13p does not move the sleeve any more, but axially downwards through the inner hole of the sleeve 11. The drift 17 is driven, thereby expanding the drift 17 radially outward. At several points along this movement, the shear pins 17 s on the outer surface of the drift 17 engage within the peripheral ring 17 c on the inner surface of the sleeve 11, thereby locking the drift 17 to the sleeve 11.

  A further downward force is exerted by the piston 13p on the drift 17, eventually shearing the pin 17s and rapidly moving the drift 17 down through the hole in the sleeve 11. The downward movement of the wide tip 17w of the drift 17 through the neck portion 11n of the sleeve 11 causes the neck portion 11n to be caulked radially outward at the lower part of the lower side surface of the structure S, thereby Clamp the sleeve 11 firmly to S.

  After the drift 17 has completely passed through the sleeve 11, the drift 17 can fall with the drill stem 15 and the bit 16 from the underside of the motor 14 in the same manner as described above for later operation. The motor 14 and the piston 13p can be contracted. As already mentioned, the magnet M can optionally be removed at this point, or it can be left in place as an additional securing means for the flanged pipe 10.

  In a specific embodiment similar to FIG. 16, a circlip or other securing means can be used to secure the sleeve 11 to the inside surface of the hole in the flanged pipe 10, where an O-ring is Thus, a liquid seal can be provided between the sleeve 11 and the pipe 10.

  A further embodiment of the device for connecting the pipe 21 is shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, and the attached pipe is shown in FIG. 19 according to this method.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the guide tube 22t is provided with a flange 22p that is temporarily held on the surface S by the magnet M, as described above. The hole of the guide tube 22t is straight and does not have a lip at the lower end thereof. Therefore, the flange 21f of the pipe 21 to be attached to the structure S has a structure once the hole is cut. It is pressed directly on the outer surface of S. The modified embodiment has a valve housing V and a spacer P as described above. There is also a motor 24 for driving the drive shaft 25 and a hydraulic cylinder 23 for driving the piston 23p. However, in the modified embodiment of FIG. 17, the drift 27 is mounted on the device above the drill bit 26 but below the neck 21n of the pipe 21 but is narrower than the inner bore of the pipe 21. The head 27h of the drift 27 is arranged upward in the hole of the pipe 21, and the tip 27w of the drift 27 wider than the hole of the pipe 21 in the region of the neck portion 21n is located below and outside the pipe 21. May be arranged. Once the cap C is fixed on the upper side surface of the spacer P, the hydraulic cylinder 23 operates to pull the drift 27 upward through the hole of the pipe 21, and the motor 24 disposed above the cap Prior to engaging the drill bit 26, the bit 26 is operated through an elongated shaft 25 that passes through the hydraulic cylinder 23, the pipe 21, and the drift 27.

  In operation, the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18 is assembled into the guide tube 22t, the valve housing V with the valve open, and fed into the spacer P, and the cap C is assembled on the upper side of the spacer P. Fixed to lock. The motor 24 is then engaged to drive the drill stem 25 and rotate the bit 26 to cut a hole through the surface of the structure S. The hydraulic piston 23p can initially be installed in the middle of the cylinder 23 to drive the downward movement of the drill bit 26 through the surface of the structure S, and the reaction force required for this purpose. Can be held by a magnet M that fixes the flange 22p to the structure S. Once the drift 27 and the drill bit 26 have advanced through the structure S, the flange 21f on the outer surface of the pipe 21 is narrower than the hole cut by the drill bit 26, so that it engages with the upper surface of the structure S. To do. In this position, the neck portion 21n of the pipe 21 protrudes in the axial direction below the lower surface of the structure S. Thereafter, the motor 24 can be stopped and the hydraulic cylinder 23 can be operated in reverse to pull the drill stem 25 axially upward in the hole of the pipe 21 and thus the head 27h of the drift 27. Pushes up into the neck 21n of the pipe 21. Although the head 27h of the drift 27 is narrower than the inner diameter of the neck portion 21n, the continued movement of the drift 27 into the neck portion 21n causes the outer surface of the drift 27 to engage the lower surface of the neck portion 21n in the radial direction. Reach the point where the neck is deformed outward. Eventually, the widest part of the drift 27 at the tip 27w is pulled upward so as to crimp the neck 21n of the pipe 21 and thereby firmly connect to the structure S.

  Optionally, the size of the hole through the structure S formed by the drift 27, the neck 21n, and the drill bit 26 is such that the drift 27 after the crimping of the neck 21n (with or without an inner edge) is complete. Can be selected so that it passes upwards from the beginning to the end of the neck 21n and can be recovered through the central hole of the pipe 21. Alternatively, after the neck 21n is crimped to a sufficient extent to secure the pipe 21 to the structure S, the drift 27, the drill stem 25, and the drill bit 26 are splined in the manner described above. Can be removed from the motor 24 and fall into the structure. The magnet M may then be removed and the hydraulic cylinder may be retracted into the spacer P to allow the valve to be closed. Alternatively, the magnet M can be left as an additional securing element for the guide tube 22t that can remain in place after the hydraulic cylinder 23 and the motor 24 have been collected on the surface for other operations. Alternatively, the valve can control the entire assembly to leave only the pipe 21 attached to the structure S by controlled attachment of additional conduits to the pipe 21 and caulking at the neck 21n as shown in FIG. Can be used to allow removal.

  This embodiment is particularly suitable for mounting pipes for injecting fluids, for example, injecting compressed air into the structure to inflate the structure or otherwise provide buoyancy to the structure. ing.

  A similar embodiment of the apparatus for connecting the pipes 31 is shown in FIGS.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 20, the guide tube 32t is provided with a flange 32p that is temporarily held on the surface S by the magnet M, as described above. The hole of the guide tube 32t has a lip at the lower end portion thereof together with an aperture for receiving the drill bit 36. The flange 31f of the pipe 31 to be attached to the structure S is formed so as to be fitted into the aperture so as to directly engage the upper portion of the flange outer shape on the outer surface of the edge. The embodiment of FIG. 20 has a valve housing V and a spacer P as described above. There is also a motor 34 for driving the drive shaft 35 and a hydraulic cylinder 33 for driving the piston 33p. As in the previous embodiment, in the modified embodiment of FIG. 20, the drift 37 is mounted on the device above the drill bit 36 but below the neck 31 n of the pipe 31, and inside the pipe 31. A head 37h of the drift 37 narrower than the hole is arranged facing upward in the hole of the pipe 21, and the tip 37w of the drift 37 wider than the hole of the pipe 31 in the region of the neck 31n You may arrange | position below and the exterior. Once the cap C is fixed on the upper side of the spacer P, the hydraulic cylinder 33 operates to pull the drift 37 upward through the hole of the pipe 31, and the motor 34 disposed above the cap Prior to engaging the drill bit 36, the bit 36 is operated through an elongated shaft 35 that passes through the hydraulic cylinder 33, the pipe 31, and the drift 37.

  In operation, the embodiment of FIG. 20 is assembled and fed into the guide tube 32t, the valve housing V with the valve open, and the spacer P, and the cap C locks the assembly onto the upper side of the spacer P. To be fixed. The motor 34 is then engaged to drive the drill stem 35 and rotate the bit 36 to cut the hole through the surface of the structure S. The hydraulic piston 33p can be initially installed in the middle of the cylinder 33 in order to drive the downward movement of the drill bit 36 through the surface of the structure S, and the reaction force required for this purpose. Can be held by a magnet M that fixes the flange 32p to the structure S. Once the drift 37 and the drill bit 36 have advanced through the structure S, the flange 31f on the outer side of the pipe 31 engages the upper side of the edge of the hole. In this position, the neck portion 31n of the pipe 31 protrudes in the axial direction below the lower surface of the structure S. Thereafter, the motor 34 can be stopped and the hydraulic cylinder 33 can be operated in reverse to pull the drill stem 35 axially upward in the hole of the pipe 31 and thus the head 37h of the drift 37. Pushes up into the neck 31n of the pipe 31. Although the head 37h of the drift 37 is narrower than the inner diameter of the neck portion 31n, the continued movement of the drift 37 into the neck portion 31n causes the outer surface of the drift 37 to engage the lower surface of the neck portion 31n in the radial direction. Reach the point where the neck is deformed outward. Finally, the widest part of the drift 37 at the tip 37w is pulled upward so as to caulk the neck 31n of the pipe 31, and thereby firmly connect to the structure S.

  Optionally, the size of the hole through the structure S formed by the drift 37, the neck 31n and the drill bit 36 is such that the drift 37 after the crimping of the neck 31n (with or without an inner edge) is complete. Can be selected so that it passes upwards from the beginning to the end of the neck 31n and can be recovered through the central hole of the pipe 31. Alternatively, after the neck 31n is crimped to a sufficient extent to secure the pipe 31 to the structure S, the drift 37, the drill stem 35, and the drill bit 36 are splined in the manner described above. Can be removed from the motor 34 and fall into the structure as shown in FIG. The magnet M may then be removed and the hydraulic cylinder may be retracted into the spacer P to allow the valve to be closed. Alternatively, the magnet M can be left as an additional securing element for the guide tube 32t that stays in place after the hydraulic cylinder 33 and motor 34 are withdrawn to the surface for other operations.

  Figures 23-29 show different designs of drill stems. FIG. 23 shows a solid drill stem that is not configured to allow drift to fall into the structure. FIG. 24 shows a modified stem, where the head of the stem is connected to the shaft by a thread configured to disengage the head and shaft when the motor reverses. Figures 28 and 29 show enlarged views of different embodiments of suitable heads and threads, optionally using ball screws. FIGS. 26 and 27 show their lower end configured to fatigue and fail when subjected to high torque by the motor and to allow the drift to fall with the lower portion of the stem into the structure. FIG. 4 shows a sequential view of the operation and separation of a sacrificial drill stem having a weak point adjacent to the part.

  FIG. 30 shows a further modified embodiment used to connect a small diameter pipe 40 to the structure S. FIG. This is particularly suitable for narrow pipes, for example with 2 inch holes, and is not suitable for accommodating drill assemblies in the holes of the pipe 40. In this embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder 43 is disposed on a side bracket connected to the pipe and engages the drill stem 45 by a thrust bearing. The drill motor 44 is disposed above the thrust bearing. The sleeve 41 connected to the pipe 40 by the circlip 49 is provided at the lower end of the hole of the pipe 40 adjacent to the structure S. At the initial position, the sleeve 41 and the drill bit 46 below the sleeve 41 are When the pipe flange is connected to the outer surface of the structure S, it is recovered in the hole of the pipe 40 by the hydraulic cylinder 43 acting on the thrust bearing. In its upper part where the sleeve 41 is recovered in the hole of the pipe 40, the circlip 49 is pressed into an annular groove in the outer surface of the sleeve 41 so that the sleeve 41 slides freely in the hole of the pipe 40. Is possible. When the flange of the pipe 40 is attached to the outer surface of the structure S by the magnet M, the motor 44 is started to rotate the drill bit 46, and the hydraulic cylinder 43 includes the drill stem 45, the sleeve 41, and the drill. Actuated to drive the bit 46 axially downward within the bore of the pipe 40, the bit 46 therefore cuts through the outer surface of the structure S. As the circlip 49 is radially pressed into the annular slot in the outer surface of the sleeve 41, the sleeve 41 can slide freely in the axial direction within the bore of the pipe 40. When the hydraulic cylinder 43 extends toward the outer surface of the structure S to push the drill bit 46 below the hole in the pipe 40, the drift head 47h extends shortly into the hole in the sleeve 41 and the head When the 47h tapered side engages the inner edge of the rim of the hole in the sleeve 41, the drift 47 begins to move the sleeve 41 axially below the hole in the pipe 40. The downward movement driven by the hydraulic cylinder 43 eventually pushes the drill bit 46 through the structure S, and the head 47h of the drift 47 has a reduced diameter in the hole formed by the drill bit 46. The lower part of the sleeve 41 is pushed in. When the shoulder on the outer surface of the sleeve 41 is pressed against the outer surface of the structure, the sleeve 41 is prevented from further moving down the hole in the pipe 1. At this stage, the sleeve 41 is in the position shown in FIG. 30 with the neck 41n of the sleeve 41 protruding from the inner surface of the structure S. As in the previous embodiment, the neck portion 41n has a lip protruding radially inward in the hole of the sleeve 41. The lip is wider than the head 47h but narrower than the tip 47w of the drift 47.

  When the outer shoulder of the sleeve 41 is engaged with the outer surface of the structure S, the circlip 49 is axially aligned with the annular groove on the inner surface of the pipe 40, so that the sleeve 41 is in this axial direction. When the position is reached, in the hole of the pipe 40, the circlip 49 expands in the annular groove and locks the sleeve 41 to the pipe 40.

  Further downward movement of the hydraulic cylinder 43 does not move the sleeve 41 but drives the drift 47 into the bore of the sleeve 41 and is attached by the spring and the radial bore of the drift 47 at the point shown in FIG. A pair of biased shear pins 47 p engage with the annular groove on the inner surface of the hole of the sleeve 41, thereby locking the drift 47 to the sleeve 41.

  At this point, the hydraulic cylinder 43 can be further extended to shear the pin 47p and drive the drift 47 from the beginning to the end of the inner bore of the sleeve 41. Once the tip 47w of the drift 47 passes through the neck 41n of the sleeve 41, the edge in the neck 41n is pushed out in the radial direction so as to deform the neck 41n below the inner surface of the structure S. 41 is crimped onto the structure S. The circlip 49 maintains the mechanical connection between the sleeve 41 and the pipe 40, at which stage the drift 47 and the bit 46 remain falling from the one-way connection of the spline connection at the lower end of the drill stem 45. The magnet M, motor 44, hydraulic cylinder 43, and drill stem 45 can be removed as described above. Thereafter, the mechanical connection between the pipe 40 and the structure S is maintained by the neck 41n of the crimped sleeve 41 and the circlip 49.

  It should be noted that the shear pin 47p is optional in this and all other embodiments. Also, an O-ring seal 41s can optionally be provided between the sleeve 41 and the pipe 40 (and in other embodiments) to regulate fluid flow as desired. In a variant of this embodiment, the magnet M remains forming an additional mechanical connection between the pipe 1 and the structure S.

  FIG. 31 shows a further embodiment where the large hole pipe 51 is to be connected to the structure S. FIG. The large hole pipe 51 has a flange that is perforated to accommodate the two magnets M. The magnet M supports a hydraulic cylinder 58 that supports an upper surface of the flange and allows an axial force to be applied to move the pipe 51 toward and away from the structure S. The hydraulic cylinder 53 mounted on the cap C as described above is provided in the hole of the pipe 51 and is connected to the drift 57 by the drill stem 55 as described above. Below the drift 57, the drill bit 56 is connected to the motor 54 below the hydraulic cylinder 53 to cut a hole through the structure S to accommodate the neck 51n of the pipe 51. Is rotated by.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 31 and 32, the motor 54 is driven to rotate the drill bit 56. The downward force for the cutting action is possibly provided by a hydraulic cylinder 58 acting between the magnet M and the flange of the pipe 51, so that the drill bit 56 passes through the structure S and the neck of the pipe 51. The access hole for the portion 51n can be forcibly cut. Optionally, some driving force for the axial movement of the drill bit 56 can also drive the drill bit 57 through the neck 51n until after the neck 51n has the lower side of the structure S empty. It can be provided by the hydraulic cylinder 53 on the condition that it is not. In most embodiments, the force to push the drill bit 56 through the structure S is provided by an external cylinder 58 that pushes down the entire assembly, so that the neck 51n is through the hole cut by the drill bit 56. Pushed in. Once the flange of the pipe 51 is in close contact with the outer surface of the structure S and the neck portion 51n of the pipe 51 protrudes from the inner surface of the structure S, the hydraulic cylinder 53 passes through the neck portion 51n of the pipe 51. It can be actuated to drive the drift 57, thereby radially expanding the edge on the inner surface of the neck 51 n and crimping the neck 51 n on the structure S. After the neck 51n is fully crimped to the structure S, the drill stem 55 and the drift 57 are allowed to fall into the structure due to the disengagement of the spline between the drill stem 55 and the motor 54. The entire assembly can be recovered on the surface while the pipe 51 is crimped to the structure S.

  In any variation of this embodiment, the piston 53 and the typical motor 54 can be splined to the casing for the cylinder 53. Also, the bearing can usually be provided between the drift 57 and the drill stem 55.

  FIG. 33 shows a configuration for a typical hydraulic cylinder 63. Typically, the Gyrotor ™ motor 64 is bolted to the underside of the piston 63p and, in some cases, the cylinder 63 is splined to prevent relative rotation between the motor 64 and the casing of the cylinder 63. The The hydraulic hose can be routed through the upper part of the cylinder 63 to power the motor 64, and a suitable port can be provided for this purpose via the piston 63p.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. In particular, the seventh embodiment has two outer plates, ie, an outer outer plate such as an outer wall of the ship's hull S1, and a fluid to be arranged and separated from the outer hull S1 (for example, It is useful for attaching the conduit to a structure having an inner skin such as an oil tank S2 containing oil. Usually, the space between the outer and inner hulls of a ship or the like is about 1 m, but this is not a constant factor. As seen in FIG. 34, the conduit comprises a cylindrical pipe 71 having an outer flange 71f spaced from the distal end and a guide plate 72 similar to the previous embodiment. A guide plate 72 having a guide tube 72t has an annular seal on its inner surface at 72s and is configured to be temporarily attached to the hull S1 via a magnet or other connection as described above. Yes.

  The upper end portion of the guide plate 72 is opened to receive the pipe 71, and the pipe 71 is connected to the structures S1 and S2.

  As already described, the pipe 71 is tightly fitted in the hole of the guide tube 72t, has a diameter slightly smaller than the hole of the guide tube 72t, and can slide in the axial direction as described above. It is. The pipe is sealed in the hole of the guide tube 72t by a seal at 72s.

  The pipe 71 incorporates a valve housing V that is usually attached to the lower portion of the pipe 71 via a flange 71f. The upper end portion of the pipe 71 has a coaxial upper portion 71 u that carries the hydraulic cylinder 73 together with a piston 73 p connected to a rotary motor 74 that rotates the drill stem 75. The Y-shaped piece 71y (not shown clearly in FIGS. 42 to 45 but shown in FIGS. 46 and 47) branches obliquely from the upper portion 71u, and the pipe 71 is structured S1 / S2. When attached to, it serves as a conduit for collecting fluid. The cylinder 73 and the drill stem 75 extend through the holes of the pipe 71 and the guide tube 72t, and the drill stem 75 is a rotary drill bit 76 suitable for cutting a circular hole through the structure S. It is connected at its lower end. The upper portion 71u of the pipe 71 above the Y piece houses the excavation mechanism. The bit 76 is an interference fit within the aperture of the guide plate 72 and is configured to pass through the aperture, but has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the pipe 71, so the pipe 71 is preferably It can pass through the hole cut by the bit 76 with a close fit between them. The drill stem 75 connects to a drill bit 76 via a drift 77 similar to the drift 7 described above.

  The cylinder 73 is guided by a frame 81 comprising a pair of parallel rods 82 which are integrally connected by bridges 83 at their upper ends, optionally using removable connectors between the rods 82 and bridges 83. Supported on top. The rods are optionally connected at their ends to removable connectors (not shown) on the guide plate 72 that allow a removable interconnection between the rod 82 and the plate 72. In some embodiments, the rod 82 can be welded to the plate 72. The frame 81 stabilizes the cylinder 73 and fixes the cylinder 73 to the guide plate 72 and / or the hull S1 during drilling of the hole.

  In some cases, the lower end of the pipe 71 has a spring clip 86 (or circlip or spring wedge) that can be held outwardly and compressed in the annular groove so as to be flush with the outer surface of the pipe 71. An annular groove (see FIG. 48) is provided on the outer surface of the housing.

  During assembly, the hydraulic cylinder 73 is integrally connected with the mounted motor 74, drill stem 75, and drift 77, and the top of the cylinder 73 is attached to the bridge 83, after which the cylinder 73 with all attachments is attached. It is provided in the upper part of the inner hole of the upper pipe portion 71u. Therefore, the drift 77 passes downward through the inner hole of the pipe 71, and the rod 82 passes downward to the outside of the pipe 71.

  The spring clip 86 on the outer surface of the pipe 71 is radially compressed before the pipe 71 is provided in the hole of the guide tube 72t, and then the spring clip 86 remains in the hole of the guide tube 72t as long as it remains in the hole of the guide tube 72t. The inner surface of the tube 72t is held in a compressed state in the annular groove.

  The rod 82 connects to the upper side surface of the guide plate 72 or is welded to the upper side surface. Before the unit is placed, a drill bit 76 having the same diameter as the pipe 71 and thus cannot be accommodated in the hole is provided at the lower end of the aperture in the guide plate 72 before the guide plate is attached to the surface. And attached to the drill stem 75 below the drift 77 (or in some variations, the drill bit 76 can be attached to a shaft supported on a bearing in the drift assembly). Once the drill bit 76 is attached to the drift 77 or drill stem 75, the unit can be placed and the guide plate 72 is temporarily attached to the outer hull S1, for example using magnets as described above. It is done. At this stage, the assembly is in the configuration shown here in FIG. 42 with the drill bit 76 disposed within the guide tube 72t between the lower end of the pipe 71 and the outer surface of the hull S1. The drill bit 76 can be held on the end of the expansion device in a removable manner as described above for previous embodiments.

  The rod 82 forms part of a locking mechanism so as to stabilize the hydraulic cylinder 73 on the guide plate 72 and fix it there at least during the caulking of the inner hull S2. As best shown in FIG. 39, the rods 82 are integrally connected at their ends by small hydraulic cylinders 85 whose extension can pivot the arms 84 about the rods 82. It passes through an axial hole that acts as an upper pivot point. The lever arm 84 is pivotally restricted on the rod and is anchored against the conduit against axial movement by a normally U-shaped bracket (not shown) connected to the flange 71f of the conduit. Yes. Therefore, the arm 84 can move so as to be rotatable about the rod 82 with respect to the flange 71f, but cannot move in the axial direction with respect to the flange 71f. However, they can selectively move axially relative to the rod 82. The arm 84 has the unlocking configuration shown in FIG. 41, where the small hydraulic cylinder 85 is extended and the arms are pivoted outward relative to each other about the rod 82, as shown in FIGS. In the locked configuration shown at, the small hydraulic cylinder 85 is retracted and the free ends of the lever arms 84 move towards each other about the pivot point of the rod 82. This change in shape initiates a lock on the lever arms and prevents them from sliding axially with respect to the rod 82. The mechanism for locking the arm is common and a cam or mooring ball bearing in the arm 82 passing through the wedge-shaped recess is sufficient.

  Thereafter, the motor 74 operates to rotationally drive the drill stem 75 and the drill bit 76. Once the drill bit 76 is rotated at the required cutting speed, the piston 73p in the hydraulic cylinder 73 is cut through the outer hull S1, via the guide tube 72t, through the pipe 71, piston 73p, motor. 74, the drift 77, and the entire assembly of the bit 76 are stretched together to axially push down. As the rod 82 is fixed on the guide plate and through it to the outer hull S1, the lever arm 84 will extend as long as the small hydraulic piston 85 is extended in the unlocked form shown in FIG. Slide down the rod 82 freely. Typically, the drill bit 76 is optionally held on the drill stem 75 by a counter screw or ball screw that holds the bit 76 during normal clockwise rotation of the motor 74.

  During penetration of the outer hull S1, the drift 77 is not moved axially through the pipe 71, but instead moves with the entire assembly so that the pipe 71 is not crimped to the outer hull S1.

  Once the bottom of the pipe 71 passes through the guide tube 72t and the outer hull S1 into the gap between the hulls S1, S2, the device is in the configuration shown in FIG. At that time, the spring clip 86 is no longer held compressed in the groove by the inner surface of the guide tube 772t, so the spring clip 86 is larger than the cutting diameter of the drill bit 76, as shown in FIG. Expands radially outward in the groove to diameter.

  The cutting diameter of the drill bit 76 is selected to closely match the outer diameter of the pipe 71, so that the lower end of the pipe 71 is an interference fit in the hole drilled through the structures S1, S2. ing. However, since the drift 77 is not driven axially within the pipe until after the inner hull S2 has penetrated, the pipe 71 is free to move axially through the hole in the outer hull S1 towards the inner hull S2. To do.

  When the pipe 71 reaches the inner hull S1, the drill bit 76 begins to cut through the inner hull S1, and the pipe 71 has a neck 71n extending through a hole in the inner hull S2. The stage shown in FIG. 44 having the end of the pipe 71 is moved in the axial direction through the inner hull S2 as before. The downward movement of the assembly and pipe 71 towards the inner hull S2 causes the radially excited spring clip 86 (having a larger diameter than the hole being cut in the inner hull S2) to move to the inner hull S2. Continue until it reaches the outer surface of the. At that time, the innermost end portion of the pipe 71 (and the neck portion 71n) extends below the inner end portion of the hole in the inner hull S2, and the pipe in the guide tube 72t is shown in FIG. Further axial movement of 71 is prevented by a spring clip 86 abutting against the outer surface of the inner hull S2. At that time, the small hydraulic cylinder 85 is drawn on the rod 82 so as to lock the lever arm 84 in the axial direction, thereby fixing the hydraulic cylinder 73 so as not to move with respect to the guide plate 72 and the pipe 71.

  Once the arm 84 is locked to the rod 82, the cylinder 73 is extended to push the drift 77 through the currently fixed pipe 71. Since the cylinder 73 is currently locked to the pipe, all axial forces applied by the cylinder extension are taken up by the pipe 71, which causes the guide plate 72t to move as the inner hull S1 is crimped. The reaction force prevents the inner hull S1 from being pushed out. As the drift 77 moves downward in the axial direction of the pipe 71, it moves through the neck 1n which is similar in design and function to the neck of the previous pipe described above. The neck portion 71n is provided with a lip protruding radially inward around the inner periphery of the hole of the pipe 71 at the lowermost end portion of the pipe 71 protruding beyond the lower side surface of the inner hull S2, and as a result, the lip is The lower surface of the inner hull S2 is emptied. The lip usually comprises a continuous or discontinuous line of solder or weld placed on the inner surface of the pipe 71 adjacent to its aperture, or a counterbore made of material cut from a single piece Can be formed. The edge extends inward by a predetermined distance having an inner diameter that is wider than the outer diameter of the head of the drift 77 but smaller than the tip. This allows the head to pass through the edge without deforming the inwardly extending edge, but it is now fixed because the tip of the drift 77 is wider than the inner diameter of the peripheral edge. The continuous downward force exerted on the pipe 71 by the cylinder 73 will eventually engage the lip. At the time of engagement, the device has the widest part of the drift 77 at the tip pressing onto the inner surface of the lip at the neck 71n of the pipe 71, and is substantially in the configuration shown in FIG. The neck 71n of the pipe 71 is more malleable than the drift 77, and the continuous force applied from the cylinder 73 pushes down the tip of the drift 77 through the edge, and the drift 77 pushes the neck 71n of the pipe 71. The drift 77 is deformed radially outward until it completely passes. After the drift 77 has passed through the neck 71n of the pipe 71, the outer diameter of the neck 71n of the pipe 71 is expanded radially outwardly, as shown in FIGS. 46, 47 and 48. It is wider than the aperture in shell S2. The dimensions of the aperture, the pipe 71 and the tip of the drift 77 are selected within close tolerances so that the passage of the drift 77 firmly crimps the outer diameter of the neck 71n of the pipe 71 to the inner hull S2. .

  As described above, the drill stem 75 is optionally removably connected to the drill motor and the drill bit, so that the drill bit 76 may fall from the lower end of the motor 74 and fall within the internal tank. Can enter. At that time, as shown in FIG. 46, the piston 73p can be pulled into the cylinder 73 to remove the drill motor 74 from the lower hole of the pipe 71 below the Y-piece 71y. Here, the pipe 71 is firmly fastened to the inner hull S2 by the caulking tool at the neck portion 71n. Normally, the cylinder 73 draws the motor above the height of the valve V that is closed thereafter.

  In some embodiments, the guide plate is structured by a magnet or other temporary attachment mechanism and a force on the hydraulic cylinder that is transmitted to the guide plate via the frame 81 and locking device on the lever arm 84. In some cases, the locking device can be omitted, and one or more small hole pipes can be attached to the structure before further larger hole pipes are similarly crimped. It can be crimped to the guide plate to fix and seal it. Thus, a single guide plate can have multiple pipes connected to it. FIG. 49 illustrates such an embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 49, the guide plate has at least three guide tubes 92a, 92b, 92c, both guide tubes 92a, 92b having a small diameter (eg, 2 inches), and the guide tube 92c having a large diameter. It can be a diameter tube. The small diameter guide tube can be as described for the embodiment of FIG. 30, and can be used to attach a guide plate to the outer hull S1, and the guide plate is described above. As is done, it is attached to the outer hull S1 via a magnet (not shown). The two small perforated tubes can seal the guide plate against the hull, and provide a fixing mechanism for the guide plate in the hull S1 and prevent leakage through it. Once the small diameter tube is attached to the guide plate and crimped to the hull S1, the gap between the hull S1 can be pumped separately through the small hole pipe. Optionally, one or both of the small hole pipes can be used to send a heater to the gap to heat and fluidize the contents, which can be very beneficial when the gap contains heavy oil. . After the gap has been evacuated through the small hole pipe, the large hole pipe of the larger guide tube 92c can be crimped to the inner hull S2 in the same manner as described for the seventh embodiment. . In some cases, many such units can be mounted at various locations along the outer hull S1, and the tank oil in the inner hull S2 is driven by a heater inserted through a predetermined pipe. It can be heated and circulated between the different pipes to maintain fluidity before being extracted through one or more different pipes.

  Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the seventh embodiment can be used by a variation of the drive mechanism that raises the drift through the neck rather than pushing down as described herein. In some embodiments, the rod can have a square cross section and in others the cross section can be circular. The drift can be supported on bearings in the drill stem and normally does not rotate relative to the neck when it expands the neck. A collapsible drill bit that expands radially due to centrifugal force and contracts radially when stationary can be used with any of the embodiments, and such bit is therefore housed within the pipe Can have a quiescent diameter that can be done, which allows the drill bit to be placed and retrieved through the pipe without having to drop the drill bit into the tank after the cutting process.

Claims (20)

An apparatus for transferring fluid to or from a structure,
A conduit having an internal flow path having a neck , the conduit configured to be received within a hole in the structure ;
An expansion device configured to be received within the internal flow path of the conduit and having at least a portion having a size larger than the neck of the internal flow path;
A drive mechanism configured to drive the expansion device through the internal flow path of the conduit to expand the neck of the conduit;
I have a,
The device has a drilling mechanism with a drill stem;
The expansion device comprises an aperture that allows the drill stem to pass through the expansion device;
The perforating mechanism has a cutting bit configured to form a hole in the structure;
An apparatus in which the cutting bit is mounted on the end of a drill stem . Perpendicular to the axis of the conduit, having that stop mechanism out extending radially from said conduit The apparatus of claim 1. The neck includes a protrusion that extends radially inward on an inner surface of the conduit within the bore of the internal flow channel and spaced from an end of the internal flow channel, the protrusion including the conduit continuous annular ring der of the inner peripheral around Ru, according to claim 1 or 2. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the drive mechanism for the expansion device drives the conduit axially through the hole in the structure. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-4 , comprising an attachment mechanism that temporarily connects the conduit to the structure before the expansion device is driven through the conduit. The piercing mechanism, comprising a drill advancing the switching-cutting bits by the bit driving mechanism comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement in the axial direction,
6. The device according to any one of claims 1-5 , wherein the hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement drives the conduit to contact the structure and causes the expansion device to move through the neck. . The expansion device, the neck has tapered at a narrow one portion than one portion and the neck wider than the apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6. The expansion device, to vary the form with the form of the contracted and expanded configuration itself is configured, according to any one of claims 1-7. Said expansion device, said has a bearing for separating the expansion unit from the torque applied through rotation of the drill stem incorporated in the aperture A device according to any one of claims 1-8. The guide assembly having a flange for housing the conduit with the neck and having a flange that facilitates a temporary connection to the structure before the dilator is driven through the conduit. apparatus according to any one of 1-9. The drilling device comprises a drill stem, the expansion device is removably connected to the drill stem, and is configured to disconnect therefrom by passage of the expansion device through the neck. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . The structure has a double skin, each having an outer surface and an inner surface, and the conduit is configured to pass through the outer surface and the inner surface of the structure before the neck is expanded. is, thus, the neck when a portion of the neck which is disposed beyond the inner plane or inner surface of the structure is expanded, any one of claims 1 to 1 0 The device described in 1. It incorporates elastic locking device arranged on the outer surface of the conduit, the resilient locking device, the said locking device while passing through the outer surface is held in a compressed form in a first radial cage, after passing through the outer surface is configured to change its form to spread was form in the radial direction to resist to pass through the inner surface after morphological changes in claim 1 2 The device described. A method of attaching a conduit to a structure, comprising:
Providing a neck in a conduit having an internal flow path;
Forming a hole through the surface of the structure and allowing a portion of the conduit to pass through the hole;
Passing the neck of the conduit through the hole in the structure by passing a portion of the conduit through the hole in the structure;
Providing an expansion device configured to provide a limited fit at the neck;
Providing a drive configured to drive the dilator passing through the neck of the conduit;
A step of the expansion device by operating the drive device to drive the expansion device through a portion of the conduit extending the portion of the internal passage of the conduit in the region of the neck,
Providing a drilling mechanism comprising a drill stem and a cutting bit mounted on an end of the drill stem,
The hole is cut when the cutting bit is driven through the structure, the expansion device is provided with an aperture for receiving the drill stem, and the method is arranged through the aperture of the expansion device. Mounting the expansion device on the drill stem by passing a drill stem . The method of claim 14 , wherein the neck extends through the hole and beyond the structure at the opposite end of the hole. 16. A method according to claim 14 or 15 , wherein a stop mechanism on the outer surface of the conduit limits axial movement of the conduit within the bore. The neck moves from the first configuration that allows the neck to pass through the hole before the dilator passes through the internal flow path from the first configuration. the neck after expansion of the neck is deformed by the passage of the expansion device to a second mode for limiting the passage of the hole by claim 14, 15, or method according to 16. 18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17 , wherein the dilator is driven by passing the conduit past the neck until it falls from the distal end of the conduit. The expansion device is assembled below the neck at the distal end of said internal passage, said pulled neck from the distal end to expand through the conduit, the claims 14-17 The method according to any one of the above. The structure has a double skin, each having an outer surface and an inner surface, and the conduit is passed through the outer surface and the inner surface of the structure before the neck is expanded; some of the neck the neck when placed over the inner plane or inner surface of the structure is expanded, the method according to any one of claims 14-19.

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